An 18-year-old University of West Florida student is regaining full functionality after being struck by a lightning blast while on her way to classes.
Birmingham, Alabama local, Emma Eggler, was about to start classes when a lightning bolt struck her body, causing her to collapse to the ground at midday last Monday, CBS5 reported.
The electrifying shock caused her watch to explode and ripped through most of her clothing.
Eggler was also left unable to walk but is now regaining full functionality.
The girl was picked up and brought to the hospital by students and school staff as she was unable to move after being struck.
‘I didn’t really feel anything at all I just woke up on the ground,’ Eggler told ABC3. ‘A lot of doctors told me I should buy a lottery ticket because I was so lucky,’ she went on to say.
‘My shirt was completely open because of the lightning strike,’ Eggler added. ‘It melted to me.
‘I was able to get my backpack off but I couldn’t feel my legs at all and I was scared I was paralyzed and I was really panicking.’
‘There were other people around walking, and it was storming, but it seemed like it was farther away. I thought I had just fallen. I didn’t realize that I had been struck by lightning, I was more embarrassed because I thought I tripped and fell on the ground. Then, I realized I couldn’t move, I couldn’t speak and I couldn’t do anything,’ she continued.
Doctors have said that Eggler is lucky to be a live. According to them, she would have not survived if the strike had landed any closer to her heart.
The bolt tore through most of her clothing and even managed to destroy her watch, causing a wrist burn.
One of the girl’s co-students, Nelson Libber, brought her to a bench.
‘I would be freaking out over this but you’re so strong a strong freshman I know this is a tough first day but believe it or not you’re going to make it through this,’ Libbert told Eggler.
‘Nelson gave me the shirt off his back because I basically didn’t have a shirt. Then I sat there with them and waited for the paramedics to come. I truly thought that I was paralyzed,’ Eggler told CBS5.
Libbert then called emergency services and Eggler was rushed to the hospital.
According to doctors, Eggler is lucky to be alive.
‘We feel like God performed a miracle for her,’ Eggler’s mother, Erin said. ‘That is the only explanation for why she is still with us’
‘All of the doctors were in shock,’ Emma said. ‘They told me I needed to buy a lottery ticket because I was very lucky. They told me that the lightning went through really close to my heart. The doctors told my mom and cousin that it could have stopped my heart, but it didn’t and that it was the equivalent of having a heart attack, but I didn’t have a heart attack because I was so young.’
The young survivor was released from the University of Alabama Hospital the next day, fully able to move.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this article. If so, please share with your friends and family.
